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NCT06161519 · National Cancer Institute (NCI)

PLX038 in Primary Central Nervous System Tumors Containing MYC or MYCN Amplifications

What this study is about

Background: About 90,000 new cases of brain and spinal cord tumors are diagnosed annually in the United States. Most of these tumors are benign; however, about 30% are malignant, and 35% of people with malignant tumors in the brain and spinal cord will die within 5 years. Many of these people have changes in certain genes (MYC or MYCN) that drive the development of their cancers.

View original scientific description

Background: About 90,000 new cases of brain and spinal cord tumors are diagnosed annually in the United States. Most of these tumors are benign; however, about 30% are malignant, and 35% of people with malignant tumors in the brain and spinal cord will die within 5 years. Many of these people have changes in certain genes (MYC or MYCN) that drive the development of their cancers. Objective: To test a study drug (PLX038) in people with tumors of the brain or spinal cord. Eligibility: People aged 18 years or older with a tumor of the brain or spinal cord. Some participants must also have tumors with changes in the MYC or MYCN genes. Design: Participants will be screened. They will have a physical exam and blood tests. They will have imaging scans and a test of their heart function. They may need to have a biopsy: A sample of tissue will be removed from their tumor. PLX038 is given through a tube attached to a needle inserted into a vein in the arm. All participants will receive PLX038 on the first day of each 21-day treatment cycle. They will take a second drug 3 days later to help reduce the risk of infection; for this drug, participants will be shown how to inject themselves under the skin at home. Blood tests, imaging scans, and other tests will be repeated during study visits. Hair samples will also be collected during these visits. Some participants may have an additional biopsy. Study treatment will continue up to 7 months. Follow-up visits will continue every few months for up to 5 years.

Interventions

DRUG

PLX038

PLX038 is given intravenously (IV) at the assigned dose level over about 1 hour on day 1 of each 21-day cycle

Primary outcome measures

Phase I: To confirm the RP2D of PLX038 in participants with progressive or recurrent primary CNS tumors

Time frame: Days 1-42 (cycles 1-2)

Number of Dose Limiting Toxicities (DLT).

Phase II: To assess the efficacy of PLX038 at RP2D in primary CNS tumors containing MYC or MYCN amplifications

Time frame: 5 years

Adjuvant cohort: Defined as the time from the PLX038 treatment start date to the date of confirmed progression/death or last follow-up. Kaplan-Meier method will be used to estimate the survival function. The median PFS as well as the 95% CI will be summarized.Recurrent cohorts: Defined as the percentage of participants having CR, PR, or SD \>= 6 months as determined by investigator per RANO and/or RECIST v1.1. The DCR and its 95% exact binomial CI will be summarized.

Who can participate

This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants must have documented pathologic diagnosis of confirmed primary central nervous system (CNS) tumor with one of the below diagnoses:
  • Cohort Phase I: Any recurrent or progressive primary CNS tumor, regardless of molecular features.
  • Cohort Phase IIA: Newly diagnosed MYCN amplified ependymoma after surgery and radiation.
  • Cohort Phase IIB:
  • Recurrent or progressive MYCN amplified ependymoma, OR
  • Recurrent or progressive medulloblastoma with MYC or MYCN amplifications
  • Cohort Phase IIC: Any other recurrent or progressive primary CNS tumor with MYC or MYCN amplifications.
  • Cohort Phase IID: Any recurrent glioblastoma without MYC or MYCN amplifications. NOTE 1: Recurrence or progression may involve CNS, extra CNS, or both. NOTE 2: The presence of MYCN or MYC amplification will be determined by NSR device (via next-generation sequencing panel TruSight(TM) Oncology 500) and the threshold of MYCN or MYC amplification for eligibility purposes is a fold change (FC) of \>= 2.5X (5 copies) with a minimum tumor content of 20%.
  • Participants must have archival tumor tissue (either a block or 15 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) unstained slides) available for NCI LP review of MYC or MYCN amplification status and for correlative studies:
  • Cohorts Phase I, Phase IIB, Phase IIC, and Phase IID: tumor tissue obtained at any point before trial treatment initiation, but preferably from most recent surgical resection before study treatment initiation.
  • Cohort Phase IIA: tumor tissue obtained at original diagnosis.
  • Participants in Cohort Phase IIA must have completed surgery followed by radiation at least 4 weeks and no more than 10 weeks from the last dose of radiation prior to study treatment initiation.
  • Participants in Cohorts Phase I, Phase IIB, Phase IIC, and Phase IID must have completed prior cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation at least 4 weeks prior to study treatment initiation (at least 6 weeks if the last regimen included lomustine (CCNU) or carmustine (BCNU); at least 3 weeks if the last regimen included bevacizumab; at least 4 weeks if the last regimen included a checkpoint inhibitor or any other type of immunotherapy or cellular therapy; at least 5 half-lives if the last regimen included any investigational agent(s). Participants previously treated with PHOTON radiation to at least 2 segments of the spine must have completed radiation at least 12 months before study treatment initiation.
  • Age \>= 18 years.
  • Karnofsky \>= 70%. NOTE: Participants with severe paraparesis/paraplegia who need minimal assistance for self-care due to their motor deficit but are otherwise functionally independent will be eligible.
  • Participants must have adequate organ and marrow function as defined below:
  • leukocytes \>=3,000/microliter
  • absolute neutrophil count \>1,500/microliter
  • platelets \>100,000/microliter
  • hemoglobin \>= 9 g/ dL (may be transfused within 2 weeks prior to treatment to achieve this level)
  • total bilirubin within normal institutional limits
  • aspartate aminotransferase (AST) / alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \<2.5 X institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • creatinine within normal institutional limits OR
  • estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR) using chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration) (CKD-EPI) equation:\>= 60 mL/min/1.73 m\^2 for participants with creatinine levels above institutional normal
  • Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP) and those who can father children must agree to use effective contraception (barrier, hormonal contraception, intrauterine device (IUD), surgical sterilization, barrier at the study entry, for the duration of study treatment and up to 6 months (WOCBP) and 3 months (those who can father children) after the last dose of study treatment.
  • Breastfeeding participants must be willing to discontinue breastfeeding from study treatment initiation through 6 months after the last dose of the study drug.
  • Ability to self-report symptoms and physical function as determined by assessment of the clinical team performed at screening.
  • Participants must be able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

  • History of allergic reactions to compounds of similar chemical composition to PLX038.
  • Major surgery within 2 weeks prior to study treatment initiation. NOTE: The surgery is considered major if a mesenchymal barrier is opened (pleural cavity, peritoneum, meninges).
  • Participants who require treatment with strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A or with UGT1A1 inhibitors during the planned period of investigational treatment with PLX038. Lists including medications and substances known or with the potential to interact with CYP3A or UGT1A1 are provided in https://drug-interactions.medicine.iu.edu/maintable.
  • History of treatment with pegylated topoisomerase inhibitors.
  • Has documented \>= grade 2 PHOTON craniospinal irradiation (CSI) induced GI dysfunction.
  • Participants with history of homozygous for the UGT1A1\*28 variant allele with severely reduced UGT1A1 activity.
  • Participants positive for Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Hepatitis B virus (HBV).
  • Pregnancy (confirmed with beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) serum or urine pregnancy test performed in females of childbearing potential at screening).
  • Participants unable to have MRIs.
  • Prior or concurrent malignancy unless its natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen (https://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/ctac/1117/4-JournalClinicalOncology.pdf, https://ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/docs/CTEP\_Broadened\_Eligibility\_Criteria\_Guidance.pdf)
  • Uncontrolled intercurrent illness evaluated by history, weight, and physical exam that would limit compliance with study requirements.

Where

  • Bethesda, Maryland

Related conditions & keywords

GliomaMedulloblastomaEpendymomaGlioblastomaBrain TumorsRecurrent or progressive primary CNS tumorsPatient-Reported OutcomesSpine TumorsMYC or MYCN genes

Frequently asked questions

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced May 13, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations

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What participation can include

  • Study-related care provided by the research team
  • Close monitoring by medical professionals
  • Possible compensation for time and travel*
  • The option to withdraw at any time
  • Contributing to medical research that may help future patients

*Compensation varies by study. Confirm details with coordinator.

Typical next steps

  1. 1.Submit this form
  2. 2.Phone screening
  3. 3.In-person assessment if eligible
  4. 4.Begin participation

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Local Sites
1 locations in Maryland
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Why Consider a Clinical Trial for Glioma?

Potential Benefits

  • Access to new treatment approaches before public availability
  • Close monitoring by experienced medical professionals
  • Study-related care provided at no cost
  • Contribute to medical research for Glioma

What to Expect

  • Initial screening to determine eligibility
  • Regular check-ups and monitoring visits
  • Possible compensation for time and travel
  • You can withdraw at any time

Frequently Asked Questions About This Glioma Study

Important Clinical Trial Information

This information is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical trial participation involves potential risks and benefits. Eligibility requirements apply and will be assessed during the screening process.

Study identifier: NCT06161519. For complete study details, visit ClinicalTrials.gov. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making decisions about your medical care or participating in clinical research.